Hello everyone, After applying I have recently received my grand fathers military records (screen shots attached). I am have trouble reading and working out where he was, who he was with and when. I've tried to do some research and see they may have been attached to the 4th Infantry Division but I'm not sure. Any help to decipher the acronyms would be much appreciated and I'm a little confused by it all. I look forward & hope for your replies, Adam
Hi Adam In short he joined 386 Battery, 97 Field Regiment in September 1939 and went to France with the BEF. In August 1940 he joined 77 Field Regiment for the duration of the war.
Here's a translation of few of these abbreviations: w.e.f. With effect from Appointed U/A/L/Bdr... P/A/L/Bdr... W/Bdr These are promotions: Unpaid Acting Lance-Bombardier, Paid Acting Lance-Bombardier, War Substantive Bombardier. As I understand it, the 'Acting' ranks are 'local' promotions applying only within his unit which can be granted and removed very easily by the commanding officer, so if a man leaves the unit for any reason, even for a fairly short period, the promotion ceases to apply and has to be granted again on his return. 'War Substantive' is a more permanent promotion. Leave with L.R.R.A This is probably Local Rate Ration Allowance: a stipend paid to cover food costs while away from his unit. SOS & TOS 'Struck Off Strength' and 'Taken On Strength' X II (or X2) Refers to a period of illness or injury requiring evacuation beyond the Regimental Aid Post. Search for 'X List' for more detail. AFW3149 This refers to a medical examination. His transfer from 97 Field Regiment in August 1940 interested me, because my grandfather was also transferred that month from his TA artillery regiment which had been with the BEF to one that hadn't gone to France. According to the War Diary about 10% of the strength of the two regiments was exchanged. I've posted this thread to ask if anyone has more information about this.
77 Fd Regt RA were one of the three Artillery Regiments in direct support of 4 Infantry Division at the Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino and then all the way up Italy to the Gothic Line at Rimini in Sep 44. Here they came under command 1 (Cdn) Corps for the breakthrough of the Gothic Line. From here, 4 Infantry Division was sent to fight the Communist insurgency in Greece. If you want to see what the Division got up to at Cassino or on the Gothic Line, do get in touch through www.cassinobatttlefields.co.uk Regards Frank
Adam. I spend a lot of time at both Cassino and the Gothic Line looking at 4 Infantry Division. It was one of the assaulting Divisions in the Liri Valley at Cassino and its actions have been immortalised in Terence Cuneo's massive oil painting entitled 'Crossing the Rapido'. What they achieved was quite something. At the Gothic Line, I have followed the adventures of Maj Walter Brown who won an MC whilst serving in 1/6 Surreys, part of 10 Infantry Brigade, 4 Infantry Division. Regards Frank
